Dash vs. Rush — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 8, 2024
Dash implies quick, sudden movement with intent, often used for short distances or efforts, whereas rush denotes a sense of urgency or haste, typically involving longer durations or larger scopes.
Difference Between Dash and Rush
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Key Differences
Dash is often associated with swift, targeted movements, like sprinting towards a specific point. This action usually involves a burst of speed over a short distance, emphasizing the sudden exertion of energy. On the other hand, rush conveys a broader sense of speed and urgency, not limited to physical movement. It can describe quick actions or efforts to meet a given time, suggesting a more sustained period of hastiness or accelerated pace.
While dashing is frequently used in sports or situations requiring quick reflexes, highlighting the physical component of moving rapidly from one point to another, rush is more versatile, applicable to various contexts such as working quickly to finish a project or moving fast due to urgency. This versatility shows rush's applicability to both physical and figurative scenarios of accelerated action.
In literature and everyday language, dash is sometimes used metaphorically to describe the quick passage of time or a swift action in writing, as in dashing off a note. Whereas rush is commonly used to describe a wide range of hurried activities, from the physical act of moving quickly to the figurative sense of pushing through tasks or events in a hurried manner.
Dash and rush differ in their implications regarding the user's control and the quality of the outcome. Dashing suggests a controlled burst of speed with a clear end point, often resulting in a precise, intended outcome. Conversely, rushing might hint at a compromise in quality or accuracy due to the haste, where the focus is on speed rather than the meticulousness of the action.
Comparison Chart
Scope
Short distances or specific, targeted actions
Broader activities, including physical and figurative actions
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Connotation
Precision, quick burst of energy, intention
Urgency, sustained speed, sometimes chaotic
Context
Often physical, requiring quick reflexes
Versatile, applicable to physical and non-physical scenarios
Implication
Controlled, with a clear purpose or goal
Potentially hurried, with possible compromises in quality
Usage in Language
Used metaphorically for swift actions or the passage of time
Describes a wide range of hurried activities
Compare with Definitions
Dash
To move quickly or suddenly.
She dashed across the street to avoid the rain.
Rush
To move or do something with haste.
He rushed to complete the project before the deadline.
Dash
A punctuation mark (—) used to indicate a range or pause.
The years 1999—2020 were marked by significant changes.
Rush
A sudden quick movement towards something.
There was a rush to the doors at the end of the concert.
Dash
To complete or do hastily.
He dashed off an email before leaving.
Rush
The act of attacking or moving forward in sports.
The player made a significant rush toward the goal.
Dash
A small amount of something added.
Add a dash of salt to the recipe.
Rush
A surge of a feeling.
She felt a rush of excitement as the plane took off.
Dash
To strike or smash violently.
The waves dashed against the rocks.
Rush
To force or push forward.
The team rushed the development to meet demand.
Dash
The dash is a punctuation mark that is similar in appearance to the hyphen and minus sign but differs from these symbols in length and, in some fonts, height above the baseline. The most common versions of the dash are the en dash –, longer than the hyphen; the em dash —, longer than the en dash; and the horizontal bar ―, whose length varies across typefaces but tends to be between those of the en and em dashes.
Rush
Move with urgent haste
Oliver rushed after her
I rushed outside and hailed a taxi
Dash
Run or travel somewhere in a great hurry
I must dash, I'm late
I dashed into the garden
Rush
Dash towards (someone or something) in an attempt to attack or capture
To rush the bank and fire willy-nilly could be disastrous for everyone
Dash
Strike or fling (something) somewhere with great force, especially so as to have a destructive effect; hurl
The ship was dashed upon the rocks
Rush
Entertain (a new student) in order to assess suitability for membership of a college fraternity or sorority.
Dash
Used to express mild annoyance
Dash it all, I am in charge
Rush
Make (a customer) pay a particular amount, especially an excessive one
How much did they rush you for this heap?
They rushed you, all right! It's not worth a penny more than £120
Dash
An act of running somewhere suddenly and hastily
She made a dash for the door
Rush
A sudden quick movement towards something, typically by a number of people
There was a rush for the door
Dash
A small quantity of a liquid added to something else
Whisky with a dash of soda
Rush
An act of advancing forward, especially towards the quarterback.
Dash
A horizontal stroke in writing or printing to mark a pause or break in sense or to represent omitted letters or words.
Rush
The first prints made of a film after a period of shooting
After the shoot the agency team will see the rushes
Dash
Impetuous or flamboyant vigour and confidence; panache
He has youthful energy, dash, and charisma
Rush
An erect, tufted marsh or waterside plant resembling a sedge or grass, with inconspicuous greenish or brownish flowers. Widely distributed in temperate areas, some kinds are used for matting, chair seats, and baskets.
Dash
Short for dashboard
An indicator on the dash tells you what gear you are in
Rush
A thing of no value (used for emphasis)
Not one of them is worth a rush
Dash
To move with haste; rush
Dashed into the room.
Dashed down the hall.
Rush
To move swiftly; hurry
Rushed after the bus.
Dash
To strike violently; smash
Waves dashing on the rocks.
Rush
To act with great haste
Rushed to finish the project.
Dash
To break or smash by striking violently
The ship was dashed upon the rocks.
Rush
To make a sudden or swift attack or charge
The cavalry rushed down upon the encampment.
Dash
To hurl, knock, or thrust with sudden violence
Dashed the cup against the wall.
Rush
To flow or surge rapidly, often with noise
Water rushed over the cliff.
Dash
To remove by striking or wiping
Dash tears from one's face.
Rush
(Football) To advance the ball or attempt to advance the ball from scrimmage by carrying it rather than passing.
Dash
To splash; bespatter
Dash water on one's face.
Rush
To cause to move rapidly
Had to rush fresh troops to the front lines.
Dash
To write hastily. Often used with off
Dashed off a note to the dean.
Rush
To cause to act with haste
Made a mistake because we were rushed.
Dash
To drink hastily. Often used with down
Dashed down a glass of milk.
Rush
To perform with great haste
Had to rush the project to complete it on time.
Dash
To add an enlivening or altering element to
A speech dashed with humor.
Rush
To attack swiftly and suddenly
Infantry rushed the enemy after the artillery barrage.
Dash
To affect by adding another element or ingredient to
Ice cream that was dashed with rum.
Rush
To transport or carry hastily
An ambulance rushed her to the hospital.
Dash
To destroy or wreck
Our hopes were dashed by the news.
Rush
To entertain or pay great attention to
They rushed him for their fraternity.
Dash
To discourage or dispirit
"This discouraging information a little dashed the child" (Charles Dickens).
Rush
(Football) To run toward (a passer or kicker) in order to block or disrupt a play.
Dash
To damn.
Rush
A sudden movement toward something
A rush to leave the room.
Dash
A swift, violent blow or stroke
Knocked the books to the floor with an impatient dash of his hand.
Rush
An anxious and eager movement to get to or from a place
A rush to the goldfields.
Dash
A splash
Threw a dash of water on my face.
Rush
A sudden widespread demand
A rush for gold coins.
Dash
A small amount of an added ingredient
A dash of sherry.
Rush
General haste or busyness
The office always operates in a rush.
Dash
A quick stroke, as with a pencil or brush.
Rush
A sudden attack; an onslaught.
Dash
A sudden movement; a rush
Made a dash for the exit.
Rush
A rapid, often noisy flow or passage
Listened to the rush of the wind.
Dash
(Sports) A footrace, usually less than a quarter-mile long, run at top speed from the outset.
Rush
A large or overwhelming number or amount
A rush of last-minute holiday orders.
Dash
A spirited quality in action or style; verve.
Rush
An attempt to advance the ball from scrimmage by carrying it.
Dash
Either of two symbols, an emdash or an endash, used in writing and in printing.
Rush
An act of running at a passer or kicker in order to block or prevent a play.
Dash
In Morse and similar codes, the long sound or signal used in combination with the dot and silent intervals to represent letters or numbers.
Rush
(Sports) A rapid advance of the puck toward the opponent's goal in ice hockey.
Dash
A dashboard.
Rush
Rushes The first, unedited print of a movie scene.
Dash
(typography) Any of the following symbols: ‒ (figure dash), – (en dash), — (em dash), or ― (horizontal bar).
Rush
A drive by a Greek society on a college campus to recruit new members
A sorority rush.
Dash
(computing) A hyphen or minus sign.
Rush
A surge or release of emotion
Felt a rush of fear.
Dash
(by extension) The longer of the two symbols of Morse code.
Rush
A sudden, brief exhilaration
Felt a heady rush when her name was called out as the winner.
Dash
A short run, flight.
When the feds came they did the dash.
Rush
The intensely pleasurable sensation experienced immediately after use of a stimulant or a mind-altering drug.
Dash
A rushing or violent onset.
Rush
Any of various grasslike wetland plants of the genus Juncus, having stiff hollow or pithy stems and small usually clustered brownish flowers.
Dash
Violent strike; a whack.
Rush
Any of various similar plants, such as a bulrush.
Dash
A small quantity of a liquid substance etc.; less than 1/8 of a teaspoon.
Add a dash of vinegar.
Rush
The stem of one of these plants, used in making baskets, mats, and chair seats.
Dash
A slight admixture.
There is a dash of craziness in his personality.
Rush
Performed with or requiring great haste or urgency
A rush job.
A rush order.
Dash
Ostentatious vigor.
Aren't we full of dash this morning?
Rush
Any of several stiff plants of the genus Juncus, or the family Juncaceae, having hollow or pithy stems and small flowers, and often growing in marshes or near water.
Dash
A dashboard.
Rush
The stem of such plants used in making baskets, mats, the seats of chairs, etc.
Dash
A bribe or gratuity; a gift.
Rush
The merest trifle; a straw.
Dash
A stand-in for a censored word, like "Devil" or "damn". (Compare deuce.)
Rush
A wick.
Dash
The dashboard of a Tumblr user.
Rush
A sudden forward motion.
Dash
(intransitive) To run quickly or for a short distance.
He dashed across the field.
Rush
A surge.
A rush of business can be difficult to handle effectively for its unexpected volume.
Dash
To leave or depart.
I have to dash now. See you soon.
Rush
General haste.
Many errors were made in the rush to finish.
Dash
(transitive) To destroy by striking (against).
He dashed the bottle against the bar and turned about to fight.
Rush
A rapid, noisy flow.
A rush of water;
A rush of footsteps
Dash
(transitive) To throw violently.
The man was dashed from the vehicle during the accident.
Rush
(military) A sudden attack; an onslaught.
Dash
To sprinkle; to splatter.
Rush
(video games) The strategy of attacking an opponent with a large swarm of weak units, rather than spending time developing their abilities.
Dash
To ruin; to destroy.
Her hopes were dashed when she saw the damage.
Rush
(contact sports) The act of running at another player to block or disrupt play.
A rush on the quarterback
Dash
(transitive) To dishearten; to sadden.
Her thoughts were dashed to melancholy.
Rush
A rusher; a lineman.
The center rush, whose place is in the center of the rush line
Dash
To complete hastily.
He dashed down his eggs.
She dashed off her homework.
Rush
A sudden, brief exhilaration, for instance the pleasurable sensation produced by a stimulant.
The rollercoaster gave me a rush.
Dash
(transitive) To draw or write quickly; jot.
Rush
(college slang) A regulated period of recruitment in fraternities and sororities.
Rush week
Dash
Damn in forming oaths.
Dash his impudence! Who is that scoundrel?
Rush
(college slang) A person attempting to join a fraternity or sorority as part of a rush.
Dash
(euphemistic) Damn!
Rush
A perfect recitation.
Dash
To throw with violence or haste; to cause to strike violently or hastily; - often used with against.
If you dash a stone against a stone in the botton of the water, it maketh a sound.
Rush
(croquet) A roquet in which the object ball is sent to a particular location on the lawn.
Dash
To break, as by throwing or by collision; to shatter; to crust; to frustrate; to ruin.
Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
A brave vessel, . . . Dashed all to pieces.
To perplex and dashMaturest counsels.
Rush
To hurry; to perform a task with great haste.
Rush one's dinner;
Rush off an email response
Dash
To put to shame; to confound; to confuse; to abash; to depress.
Dash the proud gamester in his gilded car.
Rush
(intransitive) To flow or move forward rapidly or noisily.
Armies rush to battle;
Waters rush down a precipice.
Dash
To form or sketch rapidly or carelessly; to execute rapidly, or with careless haste; - with off; as, to dash off a review or sermon.
Rush
To dribble rapidly.
Dash
To erase by a stroke; to strike out; knock out; - with out; as, to dash out a word.
Rush
To run directly at another player in order to block or disrupt play.
Dash
To rush with violence; to move impetuously; to strike violently; as, the waves dash upon rocks.
[He] dashed through thick and thin.
On each hand the gushing waters play,And down the rough cascade all dashing fall.
Rush
(transitive) To cause to move or act with unusual haste.
Don't rush your client or he may withdraw.
Dash
Violent striking together of two bodies; collision; crash.
Rush
To make a swift or sudden attack.
Dash
A sudden check; abashment; frustration; ruin; as, his hopes received a dash.
Rush
(military) To swiftly attack without warning.
Dash
A rapid movement, esp. one of short duration; a quick stroke or blow; a sudden onset or rush; as, a bold dash at the enemy; a dash of rain.
She takes upon her bravely at first dash.
Rush
To attack (an opponent) with a large swarm of units.
Dash
Energy in style or action; animation; spirit.
Rush
(transitive) To transport or carry quickly.
The shuttle rushes passengers from the station to the airport.
Dash
A vain show; a blustering parade; a flourish; as, to make or cut a great dash.
Rush
To roquet an object ball to a particular location on the lawn.
Dash
A mark or line [-], in writing or printing, denoting a sudden break, stop, or transition in a sentence, or an abrupt change in its construction, a long or significant pause, or an unexpected or epigrammatic turn of sentiment. Dashes are also sometimes used instead of marks or parenthesis.
Rush
To attempt to join a fraternity or sorority, often involving a hazing or initiation process.
Dash
The sign of staccato, a small mark [ ] denoting that the note over which it is placed is to be performed in a short, distinct manner.
Rush
To recite (a lesson) or pass (an examination) without an error.
Dash
A short, spirited effort or trial of speed upon a race course; - used in horse racing, when a single trial constitutes the race.
Rush
To play at a faster tempo than one is supposed to or than the other musicians one is playing with, or to inadvertently gradually increase tempo while one is playing.
Dash
Distinctive and stylish elegance;
He wooed her with the confident dash of a cavalry officer
Rush
Performed with, or requiring urgency or great haste, or done under pressure.
A rush job
Dash
A quick run
Rush
A name given to many aquatic or marsh-growing endogenous plants with soft, slender stems, as the species of Juncus and Scirpus.
Dash
A footrace run at top speed;
He is preparing for the 100-yard dash
Rush
The merest trifle; a straw.
John Bull's friendship is not worth a rush.
Dash
A punctuation mark (-) used between parts of a compound word or between the syllables of a word when the word is divided at the end of a line of text
Rush
A moving forward with rapidity and force or eagerness; a violent motion or course; as, a rush of troops; a rush of winds; a rush of water.
A gentleman of his train spurred up his horse, and, with a violent rush, severed him from the duke.
Dash
The longer of the two telegraphic signals used in Morse code
Rush
Great activity with pressure; as, a rush of business.
Dash
The act of moving with great haste;
He made a dash for the door
Rush
A perfect recitation.
Dash
Run or move very quickly or hastily;
She dashed into the yard
Rush
A rusher; as, the center rush, whose place is in the center of the rush line; the end rush.
Dash
Break into pieces, as by striking or knocking over;
Smash a plate
Rush
To move forward with impetuosity, violence, and tumultuous rapidity or haste; as, armies rush to battle; waters rush down a precipice.
Like to an entered tide, they all rush by.
Dash
Hurl or thrust violently;
He dashed the plate against the wall
Waves were dashing against the rock
Rush
To enter into something with undue haste and eagerness, or without due deliberation and preparation; as, to rush business or speculation.
They . . . never think it to be a part of religion to rush into the office of princes and ministers.
Dash
Destroy or break;
Dashed ambitions and hopes
Rush
To push or urge forward with impetuosity or violence; to hurry forward.
Dash
Cause to lose courage;
Dashed by the refusal
Rush
To recite (a lesson) or pass (an examination) without an error.
Dash
Add an enlivening or altering element to;
Blue paint dashed with white
Rush
The act of moving hurriedly and in a careless manner;
In his haste to leave he forgot his book
Rush
A sudden forceful flow
Rush
Grasslike plants growing in wet places and having cylindrical often hollow stems
Rush
Physician and Revolutionary American leader; signer of the Declaration of Independence (1745-1813)
Rush
The swift release of a store of affective force;
They got a great bang out of it
What a boot!
He got a quick rush from injecting heroin
He does it for kicks
Rush
A sudden burst of activity;
Come back after the rush
Rush
(American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running into the line;
The linebackers were ready to stop a rush
Rush
Step on it;
He rushed down the hall to receive his guests
The cars raced down the street
Rush
Attack suddenly
Rush
Urge to an unnatural speed;
Don't rush me, please!
Rush
Act or move at high speed;
We have to rush!
Hurry--it's late!
Rush
Run with the ball, in football
Rush
Cause to move fast or to rush or race;
The psychologist raced the rats through a long maze
Rush
Cause to occur rapidly;
The infection precipitated a high fever and allergic reactions
Rush
Not accepting reservations
Rush
Done under pressure;
A rush job
Common Curiosities
Can "dash" and "rush" be used interchangeably?
While they both convey speed, their contexts differ; "dash" is more about quick, targeted actions, and "rush" implies urgency or haste in a broader range of activities.
How does the connotation of control differ between dashing and rushing?
Dashing implies more control and intention, focusing on precision, whereas rushing can suggest a lack of control or precision due to urgency.
What distinguishes a dash from a rush?
A dash is a swift, sudden movement towards a specific target, often over a short distance, while a rush indicates moving or doing something with urgency, potentially over longer periods or broader scopes.
Is dashing always physical?
Primarily, yes, but it can also describe quick, precise actions metaphorically, like writing quickly or the swift passage of time.
What does it mean to rush in a non-physical context?
It means to hurry through tasks or activities, often under time pressure or urgency, without necessarily moving physically fast.
How does urgency affect dashing and rushing?
Urgency heightens the pace in rushing, affecting duration and scope, while in dashing, it sharpens focus and precision for short bursts.
How do punctuation marks relate to dashing?
The dash (—) punctuation mark indicates a pause or range in writing, showing "dash" in a linguistic context.
Can something be done in a dash that isn't possible in a rush?
Tasks requiring brief, intense efforts of speed and precision are better suited for dashing, while rushing is more about overall swiftness and urgency.
How do sports utilize the concept of dashing?
Sports often require dashing for quick, agile movements towards a goal, emphasizing speed and precision.
Can "rush" describe feelings?
Yes, it can describe a surge of feelings, like excitement or adrenaline, highlighting its emotional context.
What does a "dash of salt" signify?
It refers to adding a small, precise amount of salt, highlighting "dash" in the context of measurement.
What are the risks of rushing?
Rushing increases the risk of mistakes or lower quality outcomes due to the prioritization of speed over detail or precision.
Why might someone prefer to dash rather than rush?
For precision and control in achieving a quick, targeted outcome without the potential compromise in quality associated with rushing.
In what scenarios is rushing preferred?
When time is of the essence, and the priority is to complete tasks or reach destinations quickly, regardless of the task's nature.
Is rushing more susceptible to errors than dashing?
Yes, because rushing can compromise quality or accuracy due to haste, whereas dashing focuses on precision and control.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
